On Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, Catawba College joined Rowan County Creek Week by inviting the community to explore the Fred Stanback Jr. Ecological Preserve. There, participants were guided along the preserve’s wetland trails to a variety of fun-filled stations, each led by an Environmental Steward eager to showcase the natural wonders found on site. Creek Week is an annual celebration of local waters across the state, offering recreational, educational, and volunteer opportunities to community members.
Catawba has previously participated in Creek Week by hosting park cleanups and guided preserve tours. This year, Catawba students, faculty, and staff collaborated to provide a hands-on educational event.
Environmental Stewards, led by Elias Barber (Catawba alum and program assistant intern for the Center for the Environment), planned, assembled, and delivered hands-on educational programming regarding a wide array of native species. The Nature Investigation event featured separate stations across the 189-acre preserve, each designated for plants, birds, bugs, and other native animals. The team ensured each station’s activities catered to a diverse audience. Keeping the activities educational and engaging was a top priority.
At a clearing near Lake Baranski, guests approached a table offering coloring sheets, binoculars, a bird-related game, and an array of tools used to research birds. Visitors of every age examined native birds and had an opportunity to observe field research. Dr. Joe Poston was on site banding birds, giving participants a close look at native birds such as northern cardinals and Carolina chickadees as he handled and processed them.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Nature Investigation event that was part of Rowan County Creek Week. We had several inquisitive visitors of all ages who came to our station to learn about birds and bird banding. I want to give a shout-out to the many Catawba College Environmental Stewards who organized and pulled off the event. They did a fantastic job!” Poston stated.
At other stations, Stewards engaged with guests through educational activities. Visitors interacted with green tree frogs and a spotted salamander, created artistic prints from leaves, surveyed native flora and fauna, searched for mammal tracks, and more.
Participants took home their own works of art, student-created stickers, and memories of the event. The interactive stations also gave the Stewards an opportunity to engage with visitors.
Asmit Subedi, who led guests in catching and identifying bugs and insects using sweep nets, said, “I had a lot of fun interacting with people of different age groups and helping them appreciate insects more by showing them how and why researchers catch them!”
After the event ended, Stewards reflected on their experiences and the work they put in. Simon Wordsworth commented, “Creek Week was an amazing opportunity to see and engage with dozens of people in the Catawba community and Rowan County area. It was quite comforting seeing people in the community interact with us and different terrestrial and aquatic species, especially in our 'backyard' ecological preserve! I'm looking forward to more experiences like this one!”
The Environmental Stewards thanked Catawba faculty and staff members who assisted with this event by sharing their time, knowledge, and supplies. The Center for the Environment looks forward to continuing its participation in Creek Week and contributing to nature education in years to come.
About the Environmental Stewards
The Environmental Stewards Program is an honor, work opportunity, and leadership development program. The program develops students from all academic backgrounds into dynamic leaders and realizes a commitment to environmental stewardship. Stewards work on campus and community-related projects throughout the school year that provide environmental education, enhance sustainable practices, and/or improve local land, water, or air quality or one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private liberal arts college located on a 276-acre campus, including a 189-acre ecological preserve, in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best colleges in the South, Catawba is a learning community of nearly 1,400 students from 35 states and 45 nations, providing students with opportunities shaped by the Catawba Ideal: Scholarship with Character and Culture for Service. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
